A similar proportion said that freedom of expression must accommodate all views, except for extreme opinions likely to incite hatred.

Although opinion was split on whether Britain should ever reinstate blasphemy laws, the largest group opposed the idea.

But when asked about their own faith, six out of 10 agreed it was possible to “demean, mock or insult” God without offending Christians.

Meanwhile almost seven out of 10 said they welcomed “strong anti-Christian opinion” as providing an opportunity to “exchange ideas”.

It comes after a series of cases in which Christians in Britain were said to be feel under attack from “militant secularism”.

“Far from being on the defensive, it appears that most Christians welcome the opportunity to wrestle over key issues and are prepared to stand alongside believers of other faiths who are less familiar with being lampooned or more sensitive to criticism,” said Rob Powys-Smith of Christian Research, who is presenting the findings today at the Christian Resources Exhibition North, a trade fair for all things clerical in Manchester.